DFA Deploys Diplomat to Syria Amid Planned US Strike

A senior Philippine diplomat has been sent by the Philippine Government to troubled Syria to lead the evacuation of 3,000 Filipinos there amid reports of a planned U.S. strike against the Middle East state.

Foreign Undersecretary Rafael Seguis was dispatched by Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario to Syria on Tuesday to obtain assurance from the Syrian government that it will continue to support the Philippines’ repatriation program,” spokesman Raul Hernandez said in a text message on Friday, Gma news online reported.

Reports said the deployment of a senior Philippine official to Syria illustrates Manila’s growing concern for the safety of the Filipinos in the place who continue to balk on the Philippine government’s offer to repatriate them to the Philippines for free due to lack of economic opportunities in the Philippines. Moreover, Hernandez said the government will persist in convincing more Filipinos to leave Syria.

The online news added Washington has hinted that US President Barack Obama would take unilateral action against Syria “if necessary” in response to the Syrian government’s chemical weapons attack that killed scores of civilians outside Damascus last week. Since Manila mounted its mandatory repatriation plan in 2011, the government was able to rescue and bring home 4,553 Filipino workers from Syria. Hernandez said close to 60 more Filipinos will arrive in Manila this week, Gma news online reported.

Hernandez said said that apart from Seguis, a Philippine Rapid Response Team, comprised of diplomats from the Home Office in Manila, is also assisting in the repatriation of Filipinos. He added
the Philippine government is also coordinating with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in facilitating the return of Filipinos workers from Syria, Gma news online reported.

Source: Gma news online